Maritime Union of Australia: General: Comrades support Triton 11

Letters of solidarity are flooding into the union rooms from ships and ports around Australia

Comrades, MUA members aboard the FSO Karratha Spirit offer you our 100 per cent support in your struggle to have your positions on the Triton restored.

The first issue is the right of Australian seafarers to undertake employment on a vessel, which operates at the expense of the Australian taxpayer, as a marine crew and undertake the relevant tasks for which we are highly trained and extremely competent to perform.

This claim is further backed by the fact that this vessel performs operations in the territorial waters of Australia for the benefit of our nation's people is so far as our borders and marine resources are protected and the integrity of our maritime jurisdictions continue to remain intact.

The absolute disregard that a foreign entity, in this case Gardline has for the rights of Australian workers is on a comparative level to that of Patricks in the waterfront dispute.

The actions of employers, either foreign or local, whose main aim is to undermine the standard of conditions that rank and file workers have fought so hard to obtain will not be tolerated, especially by members of an organisation that has a proud and productive history such as the MUA.

Not only do the actions of Gardline expose the unscrupulous nature to which these corporate mercenaries operate, it also highlights the unwillingness of the previous conservative Federal Government to take seriously the issue of securing this nation's maritime boundaries and natural marine resources.

For if Howard et al did place a higher priority on these issues then we would not be in a position where the Australian people rely on the leasing of a foreign vessel from a foreign entity to undertake what is primarily a case in point relating to our national security.

In conclusion comrades we offer you not only our moral, spiritual and financial support but also our wholehearted belief that you can win this fight, for it is not the first time and it will not be the last that we will all face those who despise an organised workforce and who dream of nothing else except the beautiful money.

Dear Comrade, Please pass on from the crew of the Pacific Wrestler our support to the crew of the Triton for making a stand against Gardline International andrefusing to leave the vessel.?Please don't hesitate to contact the vessel if any financial support is?required.?Yours in unity?The crew

Comrades, We, the crew of the Northwest Sandpiper, wish to endorse your actions by sitting in on the ship and hope that you have a successful outcome to this dispute, we offer you our solidarity and support you fully.

We the MUA members onboard the MV Pioneer condemn in the strongest terms Gardline's decision to terminate your employment on board the Triton in favour of non-union low paid labour. We pledge any moral and financial assistance needed and are with you all the way.your fight is our fight.?MUA members?MC Pioneer

Comrades, We the MUA members aboard the FPSO Jabiru Venture offer our total support in your valiant stance to maintain your positions onboard the Triton. We have moved $1000 from our rolling fund to be forwarded to you as soon as possible. Do not hesitate to ask us for any further assistance that you may require, for your battle is our battle.

Dear Comrades, The Socialist Alliance sends you our solidarity in your inspiring struggle to defend union jobs and conditions against the attempt of a ruthless boss to sack you and replace you with non-union labour.

Your strong and principled stand against the attempt of Gardline to break down seafarers' hard-won wages and conditions is an inspiration to all working people fighting for their rights at work, including the right to belong to a union.

The Rudd Labor government must immediately inform Gardline that it will cancel all contracts with the company if it does not immediately reinstate you, compensating you for time lost, and guarantee your security of employment as union members.

Promises by Bob Debus and the Workplace Ombudsman to ask Gardline to "negotiate" are simply not enough. Workers' basic rights are not for negotiation--only your full re-instatement on a union agreement will do.

Your struggle is a major test for the new Labor government. While coming to power promising to "tear-up" Work Choices, the government intends to keep many of the restrictions and penalties against unions that were included in Howard's hated law

Your struggle shows that workers cannot expect justice unless and until they take matters into their own hands.

All members of Socialist Alliance stand with you in this struggle. As long as your fight continues we will work to build solidarity with you. We wish you all the best, confident that victory will be the reward of your resolute and principled action.

Dear Warren?On behalf of the Deakin family I am writing to offer our support to the members of the Maritime union on board the Triton tied up in Darwin harbour.? Companies such as Guardline need to learn that as of November last year the Australian people voted comprehensively to rid ourselves of such abhorrent actions not only allowed but encouraged by the Howard government.? We did not allow the bullying tactics of Chris Corrigan and Peter Reith in the Patrick's dispute to go unchecked and we won't let Guardline get away with now.?Hopefully things will change on the industrial relations front in this country in the very near future, but regardless, we will be sending Guardline and any other bully boy company a clear message that they can't stand over Australian workers just trying to do there job.? So, to the men on board the Triton, hang in there, you are hero's and are showing the rest of the country what solidarity and mateship is all about. ?Yours sincerely?Rhonda Deakin

"Members at the South Australian Monthly Meeting today resolved unanimously its support for the MUA members onboard the Triton for defiantly refusing to leave the vessel while the unscrupulous company Gardline attempt to replace Australian Seafarers on a vessel with an Australian Government contract with lower paid foreign workers. This fly's in the face of the role the vessel plays in Australia's border security and any attempt to replace Australian seafarers with foreign seafarers must be prevented. Your magnificent stand is RIGHT, is JUSTIFIED and is WINNABLE!

The South Australian Branch and its members will keep a close watch on proceedings and commit to any ongoing support needed for you to win this dispute for not only yourselves and your dignity but also for the defence of the Australian Merchant Fleet."

The crew of the Four Vanguard suppourt the struggle to retain employment on their ship. We have pledged $1,000 dollars to be sent to the sydney branch this week. Any help the crew require will be given without hesitation.

Comrades onboard the Customs v/l Triton we applaud your actions to stand against Gardline and there underhanded actions to sack you and replace you with a foreign crew. This act will show that no Australian seafarer is prepared to see their jobs be handed to inferior cheep labor to serve as profit making exercise.?We the crew of the OMS Discovery stand with you in solidarity.?Sean Stevens

Comrade, Please pass on our full support to our fellow members on the Triton. It is a shame to all Australian when a vessel employed to protect us can be flagged out.?It yet again proves how fickle our polly's are. This should be as we are sure it?will be given the highest priority of all MUA member and Australian should be?aware of how they are being conned in regards to national security.?In unity

Dear Comrade, Please pass on from the crew of the Pacific Wrestler our support to the crew of the Triton for making a stand against Gardline International and refusing to leave the vessel.?Please don't hesitate to contact the vessel if any financial support is?required.?Yours in unity

We the MUA members onboard R.V Southern Surveyor would like? to convey our best wishes to the crew onboard Triton for their stance against ?this union bashing company,Gardline.

We fully endorse and support the actions of?the crew in their endeavours to secure their right of employment to crew this ?vessel.

As a Master At Sydney Ferries I would like to offer my support to the Proud Crew of MV Triton.?Can you please pass on to them that I would be proud to sail with each of them.?MUA, crew of the Triton, here to stay?Mark Verrills?Master?MV Marjorie Jackson

Contact	:	Maritime Union of Australia
Phone	:	+61 2 9267 9134
Fax	:	+61 2 9261 3481
Email	:	muano@mua.org.au
WWW	:	http://mua.org.au/

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